Kavika Pittman

Player News

Associated Press reports Carolina Panthers DE Kavika Pittman (knee) will miss the remainder of the 2004 season after suffering a torn ligament in his left knee. An MRI showed a torn ACL and he'll need season-ending surgery Monday, Aug. 23, due to the injury. He also suffered a torn ACL in 2003.

Brett Borden, of Panthers.com, reports Carolina Panthers DE Kavika Pittman (knee) has been rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and expects to play a major role on the defensive line. "The first thing I want to prove is that I can come back from (the injury)," Pittman said. "The second thing I want to prove is that I'm still a quality player. The third thing is to get back out there and make some things happen for this team. I felt like, in a way, that I let them down last year. It's hard to be better than what we were, but I just feel like I could have contributed."

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Carolina Panthers DE Kavika Pittman (knee) is still angry over an illegal chop block by Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Keenan McCardell last year that resulted in a torn ACL in his knee. "I know it was a cheap shot," Pittman said. "The play went to the opposite side of the field. I was tied up with a guard and somebody hit me outside. It was a cheap shot. The guy still has never apologized, but I'm not looking for one. I'll just get him back on the field next year. I'll get him clean though, not dirty." Pittman believes sitting out last season has been beneficial. "I grew in a lot of ways," Pittman said. "First of all, I realized how much I really love this game. After playing for eight years and making quite a bit of money, I started thinking about retirement. But, after sitting out for a year, I realized that is not what I want."

The Associated Press reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Keenan McCardell is appealing the $12,500 fine by the NFL for two illegal blocks. "The one on Kavika Pittman wasn't a high-low," McCardell said. "I really wasn't trying to hurt anybody. My intent is not to hurt anybody out on that field like that with an illegal block."

Updating previous reports, Pat Yasinskas and Stan Olson, of the Charlotte Observer, report the NFL has fined Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Keenan McCardell $12,500 for a chop block on Carolina Panthers DE Kavika Pittman. "I'm a little disappointed in the fine," McCardell said. "I'm going to look at (the play) again. From what they said, (Pittman) was engaged (with a blocker). He wasn't engaged. So I'm going to plead my case and see what happens." Pittman tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee on the play, and is out for the season.

The Charlotte Observer reports Carolina Panthers DE Kavika Pittman (knee) had to be carted off the field on Sunday, Sept. 14, with what the team is calling a left knee sprain. Pittman will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. "I felt something pop," Pittman said.

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman has been elevated to the starting right end position. He will start in the teamís preseason game this weekend, and will most likely remain there when the regular season begins. He was battling with second-year DE Reggie Hayward for the position.

The Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman remains on the bubble, however the team may wait until later this summer before making a decision on his future status with the team. He already took a big pay cut earlier this year.

The Rocky Mountain News reports the Denver Broncos have convinced DE Kavika Pittman to accept a hefty pay cut to remain with the team. The move will free up almost $1.8 million against the salary cap. He'll now be paid $750,000 plus incentives based on sacks and playing time. He tore a calf muscle last year and his agent, Brad Blank, said he could pass a physical and is working hard to get back in shape.

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan met with DE Kavika Pittman on Tuesday in an effort to work out a new deal with Pittman that would lower his base salary this year and save the Broncos about $1.5 million against the salary cap. The Broncos would like to hold onto Pittman instead of cutting him now. If they did, they'd only save $250,000 against the cap.

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman's future with the team is uncertain. He's set to make $2.5 million this year. Should the Broncos release him, they'd save $250,000 against the 2002 salary cap.

The Daily Camera reports even with an extra weeks rest, Denver Broncos CB Denard Walker (knee) may not return to action this week. He did not practice yesterday. His backup, CB Jimmy Spencer, had an excused absence but will return to practice Wednesday. Rookie DE Reggie Hayward will take RDE Kavika Pittman's (calf/IR) place in the starting lineup.

DenverBroncos.com reports Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman (calf) suffered a torn left calf muscle in which the tendon was retracted. His season is over and he's likely headed to injured reserve. He'll need 6-8 weeks to recover.

The Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos CB Denard Walker (knee) suffered a sprained MCL during Sunday's game when he had his knee rolled up on. The injury isn't believed to be serious, but it could keep him out the remainder of the season. DE Kavika Pittman (calf) suffered a strained calf and didn't return.

According to Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, WR Chris Cole suffered a sprained ankle and bruised shoulder on Sunday. He was feeling better on Monday. TE Desmond Clark (sprained ankle) will have his status updated on Wednesday. The team isn't sure how bad the ankle injury currently is. FB Detron Smith (concussion/neck) was banged up on Sunday, as was DL Kavika Pittman (bruised thigh). Pittman should be fine for this weekend's game.

The Denver Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos LT Tony Jones (thigh/ankle), TE Billy Miller (shoulder), LB Keith Burnes (elbow/knee) are all expected to be able to practice this week and play this weekend. TE Desmond Clark (fractured forearm) felt better on Monday and DE Kavika Pittman (shoulder) and LB John Mobley (thumb) are expected to be fine.

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman briefly left Sunday's game holding his shoulder, an injury he has been nursing for a couple of weeks. The Broncos reported no other significant injuries.

The Denver Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos DL Kavika Pittman (shoulder) and LB John Mobley (thumb) returned to practice on Friday. As previously reported, Mobley feels he'll be able to play with his hand in a cast. He joked that he could hit opponents in the chin a few times with his "legal weapon" and they'll stay away from him. Head coach Mike Shanahan also joked about it, stating it's unfortunate the "Deacon Jones head slap" was banned by the league. CB Terrell Buckley has taken rookie Deltha O'Neal under his wing and has been working extra with him. O'Neal is replacing CB Ray Crockett (hamstring) in the starting lineup.

The Denver Post reports LB John Mobley (thumb) had a small cast placed on his fractured thumb and is expected to practice Friday. DE Kavika Pittman (shoulder) is also expected to practice Friday for the first time this week.

The Denver Post reports the MRI on Denver Broncos DE Kavika Pittman's injured right shoulder was negative but his status for this weekend's game remains up in the air. FB Howard Griffith (sprained toe) was also injured during the weekend's game against Seattle but is expected to play.